Blank-feed mechanism.



A. 0. CAMPBELL.

BLANK FEED MECHANISM. AYPLIAGATION FILED PEB.3,1910.

959,918. Patented May 31,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l Vzizzesses: 12211671507:

A. G. CAMPBELL.

BLANK FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. s, 1910.

Patented May 31, 3.910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. jnvenfiar:

Wz'i/"zemes:

UNITED ANDREW G. CAMPBELL, 0F WATEEB'LTEY, CGHNECTICUT, ASSLZGI VILLE MACHINE CQDIPANY, @F 'WAEEEBUEY. CONNECTICUT.

CGNNECTICUT.

. IEYED 959,91Ef" Specification oi.

Original application filed April 28; 19%, Serial blanks which have been previously, in another machine, upset or swagecl and provided. between their ends with collars or enlarged sections.

In heading machines it is necessary that the blanks be carried into line with the punch and dies with the proper ends forward, and to insure this the blanks must all he passed down by the feeding mechanism with the corcect ends uppermost.

The object of this invention is lo provide an automatic mechanism which will take blanks from a promiscuous mass and rapidly feed them. to a transfer mechanism, all properly arranged, to be correctly delivered to the heading mechanism, and which will return to the mass in the hopper such blanks as are not presented in the proper manner, that, is, those blanks which are not right end up.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective View of an automatic feed mechanism which embodies this invention, applied to the end of the hell of a heading machine. Fig. 2 shows a side ele Vation of the feed mechanism, with hopper cut in section. Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the elevator which is arranged in the hopper to lift the blanks into line with the feed track. Fig. 4c shows a section of the feed track and e front View of a comb which permits only those blanks to pass down the track which are the correct end up.

Fig. 5 shows a section of the track with modified form of comb. Fig. 6 shows a plan ofthe lower end of the feed. track and a cut-oil which may he used in connection therewith. Fig. 7 shows the ends of the cut- 011' and a section of the end of the track in a difiercnt relation. Fig. 8 shows a similar,

'view with lhe parts in a still difierent relt-ion.

Divided and The inveni ion is Illlfiiuilit a mechanism which I ically feed hi machine. Erich so ac to form coller hi i tween ends. are then passed into the 1 seis the pro-oer ends on: hall. shaped heads.

blfilil"; l

sections 1, which form the ho e phi... short sections ,3, from which the hall shaped heads are made. and collars o enlargements ll belwcen these sections. I esc blanks do posited in a primiiscuous mo s n :1 hopper 4 of any" desired size and shape. The hopper shown is supported lay a bracket 5 l'hat is aitached to the end of the bed 6 01". a heading machine. lilova'ole vertically through on opening; in the bottom ofthe hopper is an elevator "plate- 7, which has a groove 8 in its upper end. This elevator is raised and lowso cred by means of a rod 9 that may he con nccted with any operating; part of the machine. ll'hen lhe elevator is down. upper edgeis practically flush with the inner face of the bottom of the hopper. llhefn ihe elevator is lifted, it catches and carries up a few of the blanks. At its uppermostposition, the upper edge of the elevator plate forms a continuation of Lhe upper edge of the plates that form he inclined track 10. These plates are secured the frontside of the hoppc The upper end. of this track projects into the hopper to the plane of the frontedge of the elcwtor, while the lower end of the track extends outover the bed of the machine.

The blanks are lifted hy-the elevator ll}. all conceivable positions, some standing with the ehort, ends up, as is desired, some with the long ends up, and others lying crosswise. as shown in Fig. 2. These blanks slide from the elevator down the track, hanging by the collars or enlarged sections. As it is necessary that all should pass down the track right end up, a gate or comb 11 with an opening 12 that will only permit the pas sage through it of the blanks which are properly positioned, is arranged adjacent t the upper surface of the track. This comb is shown as fastened by a screw 12-} to a stem by one part of the cnt-ofi'. The transfer ll, that is hinged to the end 15 of an angle lever. This lever is pivotally attached to the track, and its other end 16 is connected by a rod 17 with the elevator.

Blanks which are properly positioned will slide down the track through the opening provided in the comb. Such blanks as are not properly positioned, for instance, it wrong end up, as is blank 18 shown in Fig. 2, cannot pass through the opening in the pomb, and are consequently retained there- )y. ting another supply of blanks to be lifted to the top of the track, the comb is, by ill: rod and lover. moved up along the edge of the track and pushes the blank which it has 'detained and all those above it, oft the end of the track into the hopper. lVhen the elevator is lifted with its load oi blanks. the comb is retracted to its lower position. The comb may have an opening of any desired shape. depending upon the shape of the When the elevator is lowered for gctheads of the banks which are to be ted down t the track. In case the blanks are for hinge pins, the opening in the comb will be shaped approximately as thatv shown in t. If desired, the c01.b plate may be provided with a number of openings in its pcri )hery,

each having a dill'erent shape. as has the l which is held. by the bracket that supports the hopper. 'lhis-rocker shaft has a rocker arm 2%, that oscillated by a rod 25 that may be actuated by any suitable part of the mechanism of the heading machine. When the cut-01f is in one position, its ends'obstruet the lower end of the fetal track and prevent blanks from passing therefrom. When the cut-off is moved in position, the lowest blank is forced by another the walls of the oblique slot tout of the track,

the remaining blanks being held in the track mechanism which receives the blanks as they are forced out of the track by the cut-otl' is not illustrated herein, as it forms 110 138.11 ol' the present invention.

This application is a division of my application 'h'o, 492,693. filed April 28, 1909, which application shows one form of trans fer mechanism that may be used forcarrying blanks delivered by this feed mechanism into line with the punch and dies of a heading machine.

The invention claimed is: v

1. A mechanism for feeding blanks hav ing a hopper, a track leading from the hopper, and a clearance comb movable along the upper edge of the track toward and from the receiving end thereof.

2.,A mechanism for feeding blanks having a hopper, a track leading from the hopper. a clearance comb movable adjacent. to the edge of the track toward and from the It'tLlYlIlg end, and an oscillatory cut-elf movable across the delivery end of the track.

3. A mechanism for feeding blanks having a hopper, a track leading from the hoppcr, a clearance comb movable adjacent to the edge of the track toward and from the l'cccivlilg end, and a cut-off movable across the delivery end of the track. I

-l. A mechanism for feeding blanks having a hopper, a track leading from the hopper. and an adjustable clearance comb movable along the edge of the track toward and from the receiving end .hereof.

5. A mechanism for feeding blanks having a hopper, an inclined track leading from the hopper, a clearance comb movable toward and from the receiving end of the track along its upper edge, and a cut-otf lltt. able across the delivery end of the track.

(3. A mechanisn'i' for feeding blanks havin a ho ).)61', an elevator for liftin blanks r:

in the hopper, a track leading from. the hopper, a clearance comb movable toward and from lilo t' ceivllig end ol? the track along its upper edge, and a connection between the comb and the elevator, whereby the elevator and. comb move synchronously. A biDltlill' (j. CAMPBELL. \Vitncsses:

Janus ll. (,Arrnni', N. \V. Cnaurnvs. 

